Overview

Moluccella is a bushy annual biennial in the genus Moluccella, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Moluccella grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include flower borders and beds, patio and container plants, cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens and coastal.

About

Moluccella, commonly known as molucca balm, is a bushy annual plant within the Lamiaceae family. It features opposite, scalloped, broadly ovate deciduous leaves and produces dense spikes of small, two-lipped flowers surrounded by large, bell-shaped calyces. Suited to full sun in a sheltered, south- or west-facing aspect, it thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained neutral loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H4, Moluccella is valued for summer and autumn interest and is ideal for flower borders, patios, cottage gardens, and coastal areas. Propagation is by seed.

About the genus

Moluccella is a genus of annual and short-lived perennial plants native to Central + southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean. They are tall, upright, branched plants to 1 metre or more with toothed leaves and small white fragrant flowers.SpeciesMoluccella aucheri (Boiss.) Scheen - Iran, Pakistan Moluccella bucharica (B.Fedtsch.) Ryding - Tajikistan Moluccella fedtschenkoana (Kudr.) Ryding - Tajikistan Moluccella laevis L. - Bells of Ireland - Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Caucasus, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey; naturalized in scattered locations in Europe, Africa, and North America Moluccella olgae (Regel) Ryding - Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan Moluccella otostegioides Prain - Pakistan Moluccella sogdiana (Kudr.) Ryding - Tajikistan Moluccella spinosa L. - Mediterranean from Spain + Algeria to Turkey + Palestine

Wikipedia contributors, "Moluccella", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Moluccella

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Moluccella

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing or West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Moluccella size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Annual Biennial

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Flower borders and beds, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Moluccella

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions